Interlaminar fracture of CF/EP composite containing a dual-component microencapsulated self-healant

We present an experimental study of the self-healing ability of carbon fibre/epoxy (CF/EP) composite laminates with microencapsulated epoxy and its hardener (mercaptan) as a healing agent. Epoxy- and hardener-loaded microcapsules (average size large: 123 μm; small: 65 μm) were prepared by in situ polymerisation in an oil-in-water emulsion and were dry-dispersed at the ratio 1:1 on the surface of unidirectional carbon fabric layer. The CF/EP laminates were fabricated using a vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI) process. Width-tapered double cantilever beam (WTDCB) specimens were used to measure mode-I interlaminar fracture toughness of the CF/EP composites with a pre-crack in the centre plane where the microcapsules were placed. Incorporation of the dual-component healant stored in the fragile microcapsules provided the laminates with healing capability on delamination damage by recovering as much as 80% of its fracture toughness. It was also observed that the recovery of fracture toughness was directly correlated with the amount of healant covering the fracture plane, with the highest healing efficiency obtained for the laminate with large capsules.     

Structural optimization with an automatic mode identification method for tracking the local vibration mode

Traditional optimization methods, which take a specific order of modal frequency as the design constraint, could fail to obtain the desired solution because of modal substitution. An improved optimization model with continuous sizing variables is established to solve this problem, in which the minimum weight and a given local modal frequency are considered as the objective and the constraint. To capture accurately the expected mode of vibration, a local mode identification technique is proposed based on the strain energy ratio between the local area and the whole structure. With that scheme, an optimization system is developed, in which the local mode can be effectively identified and the constraint can be updated with it in the iteration process. Two numerical examples, of a reinforced plate and a satellite structure, are applied to illustrate the effectiveness and efficacy of the proposed method.     

气门淬火层深一致性差原因分析一例

本文通过一款轻型客车进气系统噪声优化设计的案例,详细介绍了轻型客车进气系统气动噪声、结构辐射噪声的优化过程和分析方法,提出了一些进气系统设计过程中需要关注的方向,对进气系统的噪声控制和结构改进具有一定的指导作用。     

Biomechanics of fibrous proteins of the extracellular matrix studied by Brillouin scattering

Brillouin light scattering (BLS) spectroscopy is a technique that is able to detect thermally excited phonons within a material. The speed of propagation of these phonons can be determined from the magnitude of the Brillouin frequency shift between incident and scattered light, thereby providing a measure of the mechanical properties of the material in the gigahertz range. The mechanical properties of the extracellular matrices of biological tissues and their constituent biopolymers are important for normal tissue function and disturbances in these properties are widely implicated in disease. BLS offers the prospect of measuring mechanical properties on a microscopic scale in living tissues, thereby providing insights into structure–function relationships under normal and pathological conditions. In this study, we investigated BLS in collagen and elastin—the fibrous proteins of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Measurements were made on type I collagen in rat tail tendon, type II collagen in articular cartilage and nuchal ligament elastin. The dependence of the BLS spectrum on fibre orientation was investigated in a backscattering geometry using a reflective substrate. Two peaks, a bulk mode arising from phonon propagation along a quasi-radial direction to the fibre axis and a mode parallel to the surface, depending on sample orientation relative to the fibre axis, could be distinguished. The latter peak was fitted to a model of wave propagation through a hexagonally symmetric elastic solid, and the five components of the elasticity tensor were combined to give axial and transverse Young''s, shear and bulk moduli of the fibres. These were 10.2, 8.3, 3.2 and 10.9 GPa, and 6.1, 5.3, 1.9 and 8 GPa for dehydrated type I collagen and elastin, respectively. The former values are close to those previously reported. A microfocused BLS approach was also applied providing selection of single fibres. The moduli of collagen and elastin are much higher than those measured at lower frequency using macroscopic strains, and the difference between them is much less. We therefore believe, like previous investigators, that molecular-scale viscoelastic effects are responsible for the frequency dependence of the fibre biomechanics. Combining BLS with larger-scale mechanical testing methods therefore should, in the future, provide a means of following the evolution of mechanical properties in the formation of the complex structures found in the ECM.     

基于经验模态分解的桥式起重机振动模态分析

以机械系统模态分析理论为基础，分析了桥式起重机简支梁模型振动特性，提出了基于经验模态分解的桥式起重机模态分析方法。简支梁振动响应通过经验模态分解处理得到固有模态函数，分析表明固有模式函数与振动模式函数具有较高的一致性。最后通过简支梁振动实验验证了桥式起重机EMD分析方法的可实现性。基于EMD的桥式起重机模态分析方法对于在用、维修和改造桥式起重机的模态分析具有重要意义。     

The electro-structural behaviour of yarn-like carbon nanotube fibres immersed in organic liquids

Yarn-like carbon nanotube (CNT) fibres are a hierarchically-structured material with a variety of promising applications such as high performance composites, sensors and actuators, smart textiles, and energy storage and transmission. However, in order to fully realize these possibilities, a more detailed understanding of their interactions with the environment is required. In this work, we describe a simplified representation of the hierarchical structure of the fibres from which several mathematical models are constructed to explain electro-structural interactions of fibres with organic liquids. A balance between the elastic and surface energies of the CNT bundle network in different media allows the determination of the maximum lengths that open junctions can sustain before collapsing to minimize the surface energy. This characteristic length correlates well with the increase of fibre resistance upon immersion in organic liquids. We also study the effect of charge accumulation in open interbundle junctions and derive expressions to describe experimental data on the non-ohmic electrical behaviour of fibres immersed in polar liquids. Our analyses suggest that the non-ohmic behaviour is caused by progressively shorter junctions collapsing as the voltage is increased. Since our models are not based on any property unique to carbon nanotubes, they should also be useful to describe other hierarchical structures.     

Gaining knowledge on the processability of PLA-based short-fibre compounds – A comprehensive comparison with their PP counterparts

The present study provides a quantitative overview of bio-based compound processing compared to commonly used composites reinforced with short glass fibres (GF). Three reinforcing fibres were compounded with polylactide and polypropylene: abaca, man-made cellulose and conventional E-GF. The flow behaviour of corresponding melts was determined using melt flow rate (MFR) and online flow spiral test. The composite structures were analysed by means of SEM in order to investigate the fibre fracture during processing and the fibre/matrix bonding affinity. The fibre length distribution was correlated with the results from the melt flow experiments, and the structure–property relationships were determined using SEM images. It was confirmed that the fibre texture, interactions between fibres and fibre–matrix bonding are influenced by subsequent processing steps and have a substantial effect on the further composite melt processing.     

CBR strength of reinforced soil with natural fibres and considering environmental conditions

This paper investigates the effect of including randomly spaced palm fibres in a soil matrix. The fibres in date palm have special properties such as low costs, plenitude in the region, durability, lightweight, high tension capacity and relative strength against deterioration. Thus, it is possible to use the palm fibres as an alternative low-cost natural material for soil reinforcement. As the objective of this research was to mix the soil and date palm fibres to use in the construction of soil roads, especially village road, we discuss the influence of date palm fibres on CBR (California Bearing Ratio) strength of fine sand. CBR tests were conducted under dry and submerged conditions. The durability of fibres was also investigated using the plain fibres and fibres coated with bitumen. Some samples were soaked for several months before being loaded. The results show that the addition of palm fibres increases the CBR strength of the sand specimens significantly. It is also seen that the sliding strength controls the failure of the specimens rather than the rupture strength.     

Design and kinetic analysis of wind turbine blade-hub-tower coupled system

A typical 1.5 MW wind turbine suitable for Xuzhou City is designed and simulated in this paper. The wind turbine blade-hub-tower coupling system and most of the parameters are designed and calculated in the design process. In the kinetic analysis process, the force analysis under 4 different situations are taken to verify the structure design, which are under quiescent condition, under random angle and random wind turbine, under maximal wind speed and over maximal wind speed. At last, the modal analysis selected the turbine hub and tower to solve the inherent frequencies and vibration modes. The first 5 order inherent frequencies and vibration modes of the hub and tower are solved to verify the design rationality.     

VIMP中结构拐角对纤维预成型体渗透特性的影响

采用真空导入模塑工艺(VIMP)制备纤维增强聚合物基复合材料多墙结构件时,多墙体拐角处的纤维弯曲变形可能导致多墙体局部渗透特性发生变化。通过可视化流动实验考察了拐角对多墙体渗透特性和树脂流动行为的影响。结果表明:无论是否使用导流介质,多墙体中的拐角对树脂流体在VIMP灌注过程中都具有局部阻力作用,降低了树脂充模流动速度和多墙体整体表观渗透率,即存在拐角效应;拐角处铺放导流介质能有效降低拐角效应;随着拐角到注胶口的距离增大,整体表观渗透率表现为先下降后上升。